Patna: 900 paramedical students at two medical colleges take to streets after mass failures

Patna: Around 900 Paramedical students of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) went on a protest against the state government for providing poor results in the academic examination where they are demanding for the recheck of the answer sheets.

As per recent media reports, majority of the batch flunked the examinations. The students alleged that marks given to them are extremely poor, some of them even got zero in more than one subject. Students were agitated with the first-year academic results.

The first year examination was held earlier in the year; results were declared on September 18. The results were unexpected for the students as only 10% could clear all through. Rest 90% students failed the exam.

As a result the students associated with the batch 2016-2018, took to the streets, blocking the road near Kargil Chowk to protest where they raised slogans against the result.

Vishal Singh, one of the students of diploma in ophthalmic assistant (DOA) at PMCH, informed

TOI, "I got 21, 41 and 46 in major papers. Minimum 50% score is required to pass the examination. I did well and was sure to qualify the exam," he further added, "Our representatives met principal secretary (health) Sanjay Kumar, but he didn't give any assurance."

Ashutosh, a diploma student in medical lab technician at NMCH, said: "I got zero in one subject and failed in two subjects." He said, "Because of the delay in examination, we have already suffered for two years. Our course should be completed in 2018 as we got admission in 2016. But last year, the health department didn't conduct exams. When they finally conducted the first year exam, the department failed almost 90% of the students."

When TOI talked to Dr Mukti Nath Singh-the controller of examination, health service (Bihar government) , he denied any wrongdoings. "How can the examiners give marks if they repeat the same thing all over their papers," he asked. "Earlier, we had conducted the meeting with the principal secretary of health department, joint secretary and principals of medical colleges to address this issue."

Dr. Singh added, "It's high time the state government needed to revamp the education system for paramedical students and we are making several arrangements to create good study environment. We can't pass them just because they filled their answer sheets. It will be a matter of shame for the state if they go anywhere else for jobs."